GETTING OUT: Worcester Restaurant Week

Thursday, July 26, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Food Team

For the third year in a row, Worcester Restaurant Week will be bringing excellent values to restaurant patrons throughout Central Mass. Starting on Monday, July 30 and running until August 12, participating restaurants will be offering a three course meal for $23.12.

Even with Restaurant Week lasting for two weeks, you’ll have to make choices, as more than 50 restaurants from Worcester and surrounding towns are joining in this very popular event.

Paul Giorgio, president of Pagio, Inc., which produces Restaurant Week, said that most the restaurants serve an appetizer, entrée and dessert for their three course meal.

“Those restaurants that don’t serve dessert will offer a soup or salad instead,” he said. “Some of the restaurants also have a wine special, where you can get a bottle of wine for $23.12 as well.”

Giorgio said that this year’s edition Restaurant Week features several new restaurants including Pomir Grill and Grill 57. "We also have a lot of places that have been with us from the beginning: Leo's Ristorante, Flying Rhino, Funky Murphy's, and Chuck's.

Here are some of the participating restaurants, and a preview of their menu:

Le Mirage

120 June Street, Worcester
(508) 793-8558

If you're looking for Mediterrean cuisine, then make your reservations at Le Mirage. Appetizers include Hummus, Fattoush Salad or Le Mirage Salade; entrée choices include
Mixed Trio Kabob, Haddock Livernasa or Lebanese Platter. Dessert options are gelato or strawberries and cream. This restaurant is BYOB, so stop by Mass Liquors on Chandler Street and pick up your favorite bottle of wine before you go.

The Manor

42 West Boylston Street, West Boylston
508-835-4722

The Fotiades family will be offering two appetizer choices: Mussels Bianco or Veggie Spring Rolls; four entree choices, including a Land and Sea Special (4 oz. petit Filet Mignon and 2 stuffed shrimp), Chicken & Bacon Spinachi, Mediterrean Salmon and Chilean Sea Bass and two dessert options. For more information, click here

AJ Tomaiolos

411 West Main Street, Northborough
508-393-5245

Chef Arlene Andre will be serving up three entree options for Worcester Restaurant Week at AJ Tomaiolos: Tuna Cartoccio, Veal Montesino and the restaurant's famous combination of eggplant parmigiana, stuffed eggplant and cheese ravioli. Mediterranean salad or soup are available as an appetizer.

Kai Sushi Bar and Grille

68 Stafford Street, Worcester
508-770-1010

If you'd like to try some sushi, then check out Kai Sushi Bar and Grille. You migh want to bring a crowd, given the number of choices available. Appetizer choices include: Tuna Tataki, Beef Bulgoki Appetizer, Crab Rangoon, Gyoza, Seaweed Salad or Lobster Bisque. Entrée selections include Teriyaki Chicken or Beef, Sweet and Spicy Shrimp, Hibachi Filet as well as several sushi options: Sexy Roll & California Roll, Kai Maki & Spicy Shrimp Roll or Volcano Roll & Alaskan Roll

Portobello Restaurant & Bar

156 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester
508 753-9865

Chef and owner Scott Tossier was putting the finishing touches on his menu when GoLocalWorcester checked in with him. Tossier said he will be offering a small antipasto or gorganzola salad for appetizers; lobster ravioli, veal saltambocca and chicken and broccoli for entrees.

Bocado Tapas Wine Bar

82 Winter Street, Worcester
508.797.1011

From the Spanish word for "mouthful" Bocado Tapas Wine Bar offers a unique dining experience of more than 40 different tapas, imported meats and cheeses and signature Paella. For Restaurant Week, Bocado is offering a sampling of the Bocado experience for $23.12, with more options available as the number in the party grows. There are choices of cheese or charcuterie meats, tapas selections, paella and churros. To complete the experience, Bocado will be offering several Spanish wines for $23.12.

Wherever you go, you're sure to get a great deal and on a great meal.

Giorgio said that one of the best things about Worcester Restaurant Week is that all of the restaurants are family owned. "When you go out and have a good time, you're getting a great value, and you're supporting our friends and family," he said.